If anybody reading this thread is thinking of heading to Africa and concerned about mosquitos, I'd say don't bother with Doxycycline anti-malarials. I took them regularly while cycling to The Gambia and still got malaria. Regarding Marmite (mentioned elsewhere in this thread), I had a phenomenal appetite for the stuff while I was sick. Not sure if the B vitamins help fight malaria or if the malaria depletes the body of them, but there's definitely a connection. Indeed part of the local treatment I got involved B vitamin supplements.

40% was the strongest I could find in Budapest but I'll have another look in Vienna over the next few days! Saying that I'm kind of ill at the moment and I was wondering if the sore throat part might have been triggered by the spray... Might see if I can find an alternative application like cream?

Neilo wrote:DEET does melt plastic. I had some spill in a kit bag, same type of material as an Ortlieb pannier, it dissolved the plastic coating of the fabric, and It would not dry. I had to bin the bag.

Neil

It's a good call about the Ortlieb's...that could be an expensive mistake.

I'd be really careful with it around any plastics. I had some in my first aid kit - for hiking, not cycling before I get called up! - it reduced the plastic emergency whistle to a blob of snot, and the actual top on the bottle itself dissolved and it started on the kit bag - that could have ended in tears. Potentially - panniers, tent, waterproofs, technical fabrics...ugh.

I think it's a plasticiser basically, so will absorb into the structure plastic itself and turn it into gum. It won't evaporate out.

Bitten by something on Sunday. I had a little pain on my elbow on Sunday night, didn't even realise I'd been bitten, thought nothing of it.Woke up yesterday morning, very swolen arm around the joint, really red and hot to touch. Now on anti biotics for a week, and told to rest it, so not to spread the infection. I'm going on a 4 day tour on my bike next Monday, hopefully all will be well again by then. Reminded me to put my head net and spray in my panniers and to pray for a little bit of wind.

I haven't tried it but for a couple of pound worth a go, and the reviews are good.

I bought a device in a french supermarket about the size of a large pen which sucks the sting/infection out of bite. It creates a small vacuum on the skin and sucks anything out of a hole in the skin. Only cost a few pounds and I haven't seen them since but I have used it a few times when a bite becomes infected - very good if you can find them

mnichols wrote:I've heard that taking Garlic Capsules for a couple of weeks before a trip helps - anyone tried it?

I think that lots of garlic (in food or capsules) can make some difference, but it is not a effective repellent, and IMO, should not be relied upon to keep the mozzies away. Though it may keep other people away if you don't want company

“In some ways, it is easier to be a dissident, for then one is without responsibility.”― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom